Association between maternal sexually transmitted diseases and birth defects in the United States: A nationwide population-based study.

Purpose: We estimated the association between maternal sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and the risk of specific birth defects among live singleton births in the United States (US).

Methods: We conducted a population-based study using data from birth certificates for 14,602,822 live singleton births occurring from 2016 to 2019 in the US. We used logistic regression to estimate the associations between three maternal STDs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis) and the risk of four specific birth defects (gastroschisis, cleft lip with or without cleft palate, spina bifida, and hypospadias), adjusting for socio-demographic and pregnancy-related factors.

Combined effects of ambient temperature and ozone exposure before and during pregnancy on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in 568 Chinese healthcare facilities.

Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) are a major contributor of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. Although ambient ozone (O) and temperature have been individually associated with increased HDP risk, their combined effects remain unclear. In this multicenter retrospective cohort study involving 173,644 women, we assessed the independent and interactive relationships of O and temperature on HDP risk using logistic regression and distributed lag non-linear models (DLNM).

Fine particulate matter and its chemical constituents on oocyte quality in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycles: A prospective cohort study in China.

Previous studies have examined the association between fine particulate matter (PM) and female oocyte quality; however, the specific chemical constituents influencing this association remain unclear. In this study, we examined the association between PM constituents and oocyte quality in Hubei Province, China, using a generalized estimating equations model. We used a weighted quantile sum model to identify which PM constituents most strongly impact oocyte quality.

Prevalence and associated factors of denture use among older adults living in rural and urban areas of China: a national cross-sectional study.

Backgrounds: Tooth loss, often considered as an inevitable result of ageing, is one of the most frequently stated problems with older adults worldwide, which entails a negative impact on physical and mental health, as well as quality of life. However, there is urban-rural gap among older adults in both oral health condition and dental service utilization. The study focused on the urban-rural gap in Chinese older population, aiming to describe their tooth loss and denture use status, and explore the associated factors, hoping to provide insights into improving the oral healthcare system in China and other developing countries.

Association between family disharmony, maternal negative emotional states, and behavioral problems among Chinese children attending preschools.

Background: Although previous studies have shown that children from disharmonious families were more likely to exhibit behavioral problems, the underlying pathways remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the associations between family disharmony and behavioral problems among Chinese preschool children and to investigate the potential mediating role of maternal negative emotional states.

Methods: A cross-sectional study including 4243 preschool children and their mothers was conducted in Chengdu, China.

Loneliness and health-related quality of life in Chinese adolescents: the mediating role of depressive symptoms and the moderating role of age.

Purpose: Despite the alarming prevalence of loneliness in adolescents, few studies addressed its impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This study aimed to investigate the association between loneliness and HRQOL in adolescents, as well as the mediating role of depressive symptoms and the moderating role of age in this association.

Methods: A cross-sectional study surveyed 6743 middle school adolescents, assessing loneliness with the 6-item UCLA Loneliness Scale and HRQOL through the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Version 4.

Kidney failure-related excess mortality during the first three years of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States: a nation-wide, population-based analysis.

Background: The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a detrimental impact on the healthcare system. Patients with kidney failure and related kidney disease are notably vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it remains unclear how mortality trends associated with kidney failure have evolved over the past three years.

High-Dose Inactivated Influenza Vaccine Inconsistently Improves Heterologous Antibody Responses in an Older Human Cohort.

Background: Older adults often mount a weak immune response to standard inactivated influenza vaccines. To induce a stronger response and better protection, a high-dose (HD) version of the inactivated Fluzone vaccine is recommended for individuals >65 years of age. While better immunogenicity and protection against the vaccine strain have been shown, it is not known if the HD vaccine also induces a robust antibody response to heterologous strains.

Prevalence and multiple-level determinants of smoking among women in the workforce in China.

Introduction: To describe the prevalence of smoking among Chinese women in the workforce and to investigate its potential associated factors from a multi-level perspective.

Methods: The study was based on data collected from the "Asia Best Workplace" program in 2021. We obtained a sample of 6,260 women in the workforce and collected the data using a self-administered questionnaire, including occupational characteristics, utilization of workplace health services, and mental health status.

Promoting Influenza Vaccination Uptake Among Chinese Older Adults Based on Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model and Conditional Economic Incentive: Protocol for Randomized Controlled Trial.

: Influenza poses a substantial health burden, especially among older adults in China. While vaccination is one of the most effective preventions, influenza vaccine uptake rates among Chinese older adults remain low. This study examines the individual and combined effects of behavioral interventions based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model and economic incentives in promoting influenza vaccine uptake among older adults living in China.

Exposure to residential green space and semen quality among Chinese men.

Background: Residential greenness has been linked to various health benefits, but evidence on its association with sperm quality remains limited.

Methods: We enrolled 28,089 adult men from an infertility clinic in Hubei, China, from 2014 to 2020. Residential greenness was estimated using the Normalized Vegetation Index (NDVI) from satellite imagery, averaged within buffers of 250 m, 500 m and 1000 m around each participant's residential address.

Limited Social Support, but Comparable Health Literacy and Service Utilization, Among Elderly People Living Alone - Six PLADs, China, May-September 2020.

What Is Already Known About This Topic?: The proportion of elderly living alone in China is approximately 10%. Living away from family poses enormous challenges for older adults.

What Is Added By This Report?: Compared to those living with family, elderly individuals living alone exhibit a lower registration rate with general practitioners and have less social support.

Ambient Ozone Exposure, Semen Plasma Metabolites, and Sperm Quality Decline among Adult Men in Wuhan China.

Ambient ozone (O) exposure may be associated with a reduction of semen quality, yet the potential biological mechanisms remain unclear. We investigated the effects of certain seminal plasma metabolites on mediating the links between O exposure and the deterioration of semen quality. The untargeted metabolomics analysis was performed on semen samples of 200 Chinese adult men to determine candidate metabolites associated with characteristics of semen quality.

Exposure to ambient particulate matter and ovarian reserve impairment among reproductive age women in China.

Ovarian aging, characterized by a decline in ovarian reserve, is a critical concern in female reproductive health. However, the evidence linking ambient air pollution exposure with ovarian reserve impairment remains limited. We aimed to estimate the association between exposure to fine particulate matter (PM) and respirable particulate matter (PM) and key indicators of ovarian reserve, including antral follicle count (AFC), ovarian volume (OV), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH), FSH/LH ratio, and inhibin B (INHB).

E-cigarette use and associated factors among adults aged 18-44 years in China: Findings from an online survey.

Introduction: There needs to be more up-to-date evidence on the prevalence of e-cigarette use among Chinese adults. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of e-cigarette use among adults aged 18-44 years in China.

Methods: Cross-sectional design and convenience sampling were used.

Exposure to ambient ozone and sperm quality among adult men in China.

Background: Limited evidence exists regarding the association between ozone exposure and adverse sperm quality. We aimed to assess the association between ozone exposure and sperm quality, and identify susceptible exposure windows.

Methods: We recruited 32,541 men aged between 22 and 65 years old attending an infertility clinic in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China from 2014 to 2020.

Health effect of multiple air pollutant mixture on sarcopenia among middle-aged and older adults in China.

Background: As the global aging process accelerates, the health challenges posed by sarcopenia among middle-aged and older adults are becoming increasingly prominent. However, the available evidence on the adverse effects of air pollution on sarcopenia is limited, particularly in the Western Pacific region. This study aimed to explore relationships of multiple air pollutants with sarcopenia and related biomarkers using the nationally representative database.

[Application of the cigarette purchase tasks in achieving China' s tobacco control goals].

Objective: To assess cigarette demand among Chinese smokers through a cigarette purchase task (CPT) and to evaluate cigarette prices under different hypothetical scenarios in order to meet the goals of smoking prevalence reduction in China.

Methods: In the study, 447 participants completed a hypothetical CPT at baseline assessments of a trial, thus, cigarette demand curves were individually fitted for each participant using an exponentiated version of the exponential demand model. Typically, five demand indices were derived, intensity (consumption when free), breakpoint (first price at which consumption is suppressed to 0), maximum output (Omax), maximum price (Pmax, price at which Omax occurred), and elasticity (the ratio of the change in quantity demanded to the change in price).

Financial incentive interventions for smoking cessation among Chinese smokers: study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: There is an urgent issue to relieve the burdens caused by tobacco use through feasible and effective smoking cessation interventions, particularly in a middle-income country with less accessible smoking cessation services and high demand for quitting smoking. Financial incentives have shown effective in changing health behaviours, thus needing to test its portability to a wider implementation and effectiveness of increasing smoking cessation rates.

Methods And Analysis: This is a three-arm cluster randomised controlled trial.

All cause and cause specific mortality associated with transition to daylight saving time in US: nationwide, time series, observational study.

Objectives: To estimate the association between the transition to daylight saving time and the risks of all cause and cause specific mortality in the US.

Design: Nationwide time series observational study based on weekly data.

Setting: US state level mortality data from the National Center for Health Statistics, with death counts from 50 US states and the District of Columbia, from the start of 2015 to the end of 2019.

Development and psychometric assessment of Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) in terms of smoking cessation among Chinese smokers.

The Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) is a two-stage (pre-intentional and post-intentional) behavioral change model that distinguishes between motivation and volition in behavior change process. This study aims to develop HAPA-based assessments for smoking cessation among current smokers. The HAPA-based measures were developed and the draft measures included nine constructs, namely, risk perception in smoking-induced cancer, risk perception in smoking-induced systemic disease, positive outcome expectancy, negative outcome expectancy, self-efficacy in quitting smoking, self-efficacy in maintaining, self-efficacy in re-initiating, quitting planning and coping planning in smoking cessation, with a total of 26 items.

Long-term effects on clinical event, mental health, and related outcomes of CPAP for obstructive sleep apnea: a systematic review.

Study Objectives: We performed a systematic review of long-term health outcomes of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) use in adults with obstructive sleep apnea.

Methods: We updated prior systematic reviews with searches in multiple databases through January 3, 2023. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and adjusted nonrandomized comparative studies that reported prespecified long-term (mostly > 1 year) health outcomes.

The Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Cannot Trigger a Titer Increase Among Some Elderly Individuals.

Many elderlies exhibited absent responses to influenza vaccines. Our exploration of this heterogeneity revealed associations with vaccine dose (HD vs. SD, OR: 0.